Goodbye

Pronunciation

• enPR: go͝odbīʹ, IPA: /É¡ÊŠdˈbaɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ

Alternative forms

• good-by
• good-bye
• good bye

Origin

From earlier Godby, Godby'e, Godbwye, God b'w'y, God bwy yee, God buy you, God be wi' you: each a progressively shorter contraction of God be with you, with change of God to good by confusion with good morning, good day, etc.

Full definition of goodbye

Interjection

1. farewell; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker or writer or person addressed is departing.

Synonyms

• informal catch you later, bye, bye-bye, ciao, sayonara, see you, so long, ta ta, toodeloo, TTFN, ttyl
• formal adieu, adios, farewell
• slang hasta la vista, hasta la vista, baby, later, laters, keep it real, peace out. take it easy, toodles, peace, cya
• UK, informal cheerio, cheery-bye, toodle pip dated

• good afternoon, good midday (during midday)
• good day (during day)
• good eve, good evening (during the evening)
• good night (during night)

Derived terms

• kiss goodbye
• say goodbye

Related terms

• good riddance

Noun

1. An utterance of goodbye, the wishing of farewell to someone.John gave Rebecca a goodbye to wish her luck on her holiday.